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Reopening Guidelines from California Fitness Alliance (Updated 7/1/2020)
A Blueprint for IDEA Member Facilities and Professionals
By Sandy Todd Webster
Jun 11, 2020
Updated 7/1/2020
As you may know, the California Fitness Industry came very close to being closed again yesterday (like AZ) but the CA Fitness Alliance was able to advocate ahead of the decision and keep us open for now.
The state has issued new regulations and guidence CA State Fitness Industry Guidance (7.1.2020) that mandates masks to be worn at all times in the club. The CA Fitness Alliance is supporting this 100% and we are asking all fitness professionals and your clients to please ensure compliance so we don’t get shut down.
We are asking that everyone please adhere to the the “4Ws” so that we are in support of the Governor, adhering to standards, and staying open.
-Wear your Mask
-Work Out 6ft apart
-Wash Your Hands
-Wipe your Equipment
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Most clubs and studios in North America have either already reopened or are getting ready to do so. If you are planning your return-to-work path either as an owner, manager, independent contractor or employee, you know it’s both exciting to get back to the work you love and daunting with so many unknowns.
The California Fitness Alliance has worked tirelessly to create a comprehensive document CA State Fitness Industry Guidance (updated 7/1/2020) that was recently approved by the California Governor’s office, the California Department of Public Health and Cal/OSHA to provide guidance for fitness facilities to support a safe, clean environment for workers. The detailed plan was released June 5 and is recommended for implementation starting June 12 in counties in which California Governor Gavin Newsom has granted the authority to reopen health clubs, spas and fitness centers.
IDEA is adopting this guidance as the Association’s blueprint for safe reopening and operating not just for California, but for clubs, studios and professionals everywhere. One caveat: IDEA advises that if you are outside of California, that you comply first with your state and city government guidance, but to refer to this document as an excellent resource.
“We are excited to partner with the California Fitness Alliance to help provide leadership and guidance in support of our industry’s safe rebuilding efforts,” says Amy Boone Thompson, vice president and general manager for IDEA. “By aligning together, we can focus on advocating for our industry now and in the future.”
A webinar on this topic will be available next week.
Sandy Todd Webster
Sandy Todd Webster is the editor in chief of IDEA’s award-winning publications. She is Precision Nutrition Level 1 certified and is a Rouxbe Certified Plant-Based Professional cook.
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Awesome stuff.
Great article.
People who are working as mobile personal trainers need some kind of guidance, which is not being addressed by anyone in any of these articles. The California Fitness Alliance should be providing some information/guidance/recommendations for people who provide these types of service a well as for clubs/gyms/studios.
Any information/recommendations/guidance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Molly, I just emailed you directly. Trying to get you some useful information! Best, Sandy Todd Webster, editor in chief
Hi Sandy,
There are many of us in the same boat as Molly. It would be helpful if you could share any information you come across regarding guidelines for mobile trainers with all of us.
Thank you.
I will, Jennifer. Thanks for the comment. Stay tuned.
Hi again, Jennifer,
I just replied to Molly below. I hope my answer helps you as well. Please share any resources you come across.
Hi Molly,
The basics described in “COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Fitness Facilities” document linked in the article above would also apply to training people in their homes. The added wrinkle and much bigger risk for you is that, as a mobile trainer, you are entering an uncontrolled environment over which you have no knowledge or oversight. You don’t know how thoroughly your client has cleaned/disinfected the space; you don’t know the quality of the air filtration system; you don’t know who has been in and out of the space. Too many unknowns and too big of a risk for you and for others you may meet during the day. If you are going from home to home, you could potentially be spreading germs you picked up “Client A’s” home to Clients B, C and D. Is it possible to train your home clients safely outdoors? Whether in their yard or in a nearby park, that would be safer for you and others you meet to maintain distance and not be exposed to the unknowns in a closed space. Is it possible to train/coach them virtually? Again, a much safer option for you and all of your clients. Perhaps you could rent a space inside another gym that has an established cleaning protocol and other safety measures in place and have your clients temporarily report to you? The landscape seems to be shifting daily state by state. Since each state and local government has jurisdiction over what services are opened or closed and will have a specific set of rules, make sure what you are doing as a mobile trainer matches the prescribed guidelines. If there are other mobile trainers out there with advice/guidance and resources, please weigh in.
Great article with some awesome information. Are there any guidelines around outdoor group fitness-related programming and risk stratification for different activities?
Hi Ainsley,
Working on an answer for you. 🙂
Hi Ainsley, I think guidelines around outdoor group will be the same or very similar to those described for indoor group programming. The basics described in “COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Fitness Facilities” document linked in the article above would also apply to training outdoors. Temp checks, social distancing, not sharing equipment, not touching–none of that should change. In addition, you might find this additional resource from IHRSA to be helpful. https://www.ihrsa.org/about/media-center/press-releases/ihrsa-announces-key-considerations-risk-assessment-tools/. With outdoor training, you have the added considerations of shared public space, sun/heat/weather/dehydration, uneven ground, etc. Think it through and emphasize that being outside doesn’t mean a relaxing of the rules. I hope that helps. Let’s get a discussion going if others have ideas or resources to share.
I agree with Molly. I own an in home fitness business for children in NYC. The trainers all switched to virtual, but as we move some sessions to city parks, we could use some guidance. I have made my own list of the obvious but please share any information when found.
Hi All:
Sandy suggested several options instead of mobile personal training, but none of those options are things my clients are willing to do. They have all chosen to have me come to their home because they do not want to go to a facility, like the convenience of working out in their own homes, don’t have the space or interest in working outside, especially here where we have been in the high 90’s and 100’s by mid-day. None of them want virtual training because they like the personal interaction of having the trainer present in their home. These are reasons I am not able to find a substitute during the pandemic that works for my clients. Other mobile trainers may find that these options are workable with their clients. The best thing for me and the people I work with will be a vaccine, herd immunity, or some other thing that will allow us to be together again. Wishful thinking . . . but I appreciate the answers and hope everyone else will find ways to keep working!
Cheers!
Molly